If there’s one thing more troubling than young people seeking financial support from strangers to explore the world, it’s tourists taking advantage of the generosity of locals to fund their excessive lifestyles.
However, after deceiving individuals in cities like Bangkok, Manila, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur—where he used the money he collected for drinking, partying, and questionable activities—Benjamin Holst, a professional beggar, discovered that his notoriety had preceded him when he arrived in Singapore early Wednesday morning.
Upon reviewing his identification, immigration officers at Changi Airport swiftly and wisely made the decision: “No.”
Holst, who had already been turned away when attempting to cross the border by bus just two days earlier, found himself on a plane and deported to a distant location this time.
For those who may not be familiar with Holst’s infamous history, let us provide you with some insight into his notorious behavior. This 32-year-old German national was initially seen begging along Bangkok’s Khaosan Road in 2014, claiming to have lost all his money and passport. His story garnered sympathy, especially given his medical condition, macrodystrophia lipomatosa, which caused severe swelling in his right leg.
In response to the viral story, he received a new passport and THB 50,000 (equivalent to SGD 2,023) in donations to facilitate his journey home. Regrettably, he quickly spent all the money in Pattaya, a renowned sex tourism destination, on drinking and partying. He then repeated this pattern, begging on Pattaya Beach, until Thai authorities eventually caught on and deported him.
A year later, he was spotted begging on the streets of Denmark before making his way to Metro Manila. A year after that, he pulled the same act in Bali. Most recently, he was observed panhandling in Malaysia, traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang, and boasting about his escapades with “cheaper girls and beaches” on his Facebook page.
He even visited Singapore in February, where he ventured into Geylang’s red-light district. It’s unclear whether he attempted to resume his begging activities, but he seemed to enjoy sightseeing in Marina Bay, Chinatown, and Sentosa before returning to Kuala Lumpur in March.
Singapore, however, has now become wise to his infamous reputation. When he attempted to travel to Singapore by bus from Klang, Malaysia, with plans to visit “Geylang,” he was denied entry at Woodlands Checkpoint.
